Ariane 5 rolls out to the Spaceport's Final Assembly Building for an October 16 launch

Ariane 5 is on the move as launcher and payload preparations continue in French Guiana for Arianespace’s upcoming dual-passenger mission at the service of Intelsat, DIRECTV and ARSAT.

The heavy-lift Ariane 5 vehicle for Arianespace’s next launch – designated Flight VA220 – is now inside the Spaceport’s Final Assembly Building following its transfer by rail from the Launcher Integration Building on a mobile launch table.

With Ariane 5 now under Arianespace’s responsibility, this workhorse launcher is in position to receive its ISDLA-1 and ARSAT-1 payloads, which will be followed by final verifications and subsequent rollout to the Spaceport’s ELA-3 complex for an October 16 liftoff.

Meanwhile in separate Flight VA220 activity at the Spaceport, fueling is underway for ARSAT’s ARSAT-1 spacecraft in the S5 payload preparation building. Completion of this step will clear the way for transfer of the INVAP-produced satellite to the Final Assembly Building, where it is to be integrated with Ariane 5.

Joining ARSAT-1 on Arianespace’s fifth Ariane 5 flight of 2014 is ISDLA-1 – which will be orbited for long-standing Arianespace customers Intelsat and DIRECTV and is built by SSL (Space Systems/Loral).